PAUL TROLLOPE TO RETURN TO THE MEM WITH CARDIFF

Bristol Rovers will play Cardiff City in the first round of the newly named EFL Cup.

The cup draw, which was shown live on Facebook, did not disappoint – as The Gas were drawn at home against The Bluebirds.

Known as a Severnside Derby, the fixture will be played on a date to be confirmed in the week commencing Monday 8th August.

Cardiff finished 8th in the Championship last campaign, and present a challenge for Darrell Clarke’s side – in what should be a fiery encounter.

Last time we faced The Bluebirds, in the same competition back in August 2009, Cardiff ran out 3-1 winners – a Steve Elliott consolation goal unable to stop Rovers from exiting the cup in the First Round.

The draw sees former Bristol Rovers promotion-winning manager Paul Trollope return to The Memorial Stadium for the first time, having left the club back in December 2010 after five years in charge.

The Welshman, who has coached at Birmingham City and Norwich City since leaving The Gas, is heading into his first managers job since leaving Rovers six years ago – having been promoted to manager at Cardiff from his previous title of head coach. Trollope is also a coach for the Welsh national team, who recently qualified for the knockout stages of the Euro 2016 tournament after winning Group B.

Gasheads will be sure to have good memories of his spell at the club, with the club achieving promotion to League One via the play-offs in his first season. He also led the club to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in the 2007-2008 season – for the first time in 50 years.

Rovers will be hoping to halt a run of three losses against Cardiff – our last win coming back in April 1995.

More information regarding tickets and match arrangements will be announced on the website as we get it.